Metallica Take Control of Master Recordings, Form New Record Label

Metallica now answer to no one. After a 28-year relationship with Warner Music the hugely popular heavy metal band has formed their own record label, which will now house all of their master ("...master!") recordings, including songs and long form videos. Moving forward all releases will be under the Blackened Recordings banner.

"It's always been about control for us as a band," Lars Ulrich said in a press release. "Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100% control and putting us in the driver's seat of our own creative destiny."

Few bands in history have been able to take control of their master recordings, but it was a clause in a contract the band signed with Warner in 1994. Today was the end of that marriage. James Hetfield thanked the label for 28 years of a fantastic relationship in the band's official press release.

It won't be long before the band releases its first Blackened project. On Dec. 10 'Quebec Magnetic,' a DVD and Blu-ray from two 2009 World Magnetic shows in Quebec City, will be available. The release states that the new label will handle all marketing and promotion duties for old and future recordings, plus "anything else that suits them." News of Blackened Recordings was teased in October when the band announced the 26-track live project, which sells for $15.98.